Books are among the bastions of civilization - the things that separate us from savages. Books are insidious. As we read, not only do they open the world to us, but they also painlessly make us think and consider others' views. They even help us develop language skills. Good writers are avid readers.Of course, there are books and there are books. We all have favorites. I have read most of the classics, and I see why they are classics. I would happily read them again. I like most genres, although I have not read a romance. I tried once. I opened a copy of Judith Kranz's Princess Daisy, a hugely-successful romance at the time, but I didn't read much. I thought you got arrested for writing that sort of thing. There probably are many, interesting romances, (although a writer told me that you write them according to a set formula), but I have too many other books to read at present. Maybe someday.Another genre that gives me trouble is current science fiction. You would think that, as a scientist, I would like science fiction, and I do like some. H.G. Wells wrote great science fiction, and more recently Arthur Clarke did the same, but science fiction should be based on science, and too much today is mixed with fantasy, and most of that (except for Harry Potter) is hogwash (or maybe hogwarts). When I'm not writing, I read everything in sight. But for relaxation, I like thrillers. Not gory stuff and not horror, but something that grabs me and keeps the tension running nonstop - well, maybe a few chances to breathe. Thrillers are wonderful when you are on an airplane, which is the most boring, uncomfortable place in the world. Still, any well-written book is wonderful. I just wish that I had time to read even more.